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£1.25m will safeguard Lakes jobs

ALMOST 100 jobs are to be safe-guarded as a scheme to attract tourism was given the green light.

Lakeland Arts Trust was today named as one of two successful Cumbrian bids for a Regional Growth Fund grant.

The bid is for £1.25m to help fund a £10m redevelopment of Windermere Steamboat Museum.

The project will involve removing existing dilapidated sheds and bringing seven acres of lakeside land into public use as a world-class year-round facility. It will secure or create 94 jobs as well as offering apprenticeships and training opportunities.

The museum hopes to attract more than 100,000 visitors each year – further raising the attraction of the Lake District.

Paper manufacturer James Cropper, in Burneside, near Kendal, was also successful in its bid.

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron said: “This is fantastic news for the South Lakes – getting one bid is remarkable, but getting two successful bids is stunning.

“I found it easy to lobby ministers on these bids because they were so well designed and much needed.

“This is without doubt the best day I’ve had since becoming our area’s MP.

“But there is still more we can and must do and I will do everything I possibly can to fight for our economy.

“The campaign to bring well paid jobs to South Lakeland continues.”

Martin Ainscough, chairman of the Lakeland Arts Trust said: “We are delighted to receive the grant from the Regional Growth Fund to create a world-class visitor attraction in the heart of the Lake District.

“The Windermere Steamboat Museum has a unique collection of boats and will be an internationally significant addition to Windermere, growing tourism in Cumbria and creating all year round, quality employment.

“We have brought together an award winning team to deliver this exciting project and this investment is a major boost for us.”

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the RGF was good value for money and for every £1bn of funding £6bn of private sector investment is secured.